#tom-wilson

#tom-wilson

Tom Wilson flattened Vancouver Canucks forward Filip Chytil with a huge, open-ice hit in Sunday afternoon's Capitals-Canucks matchup. The hit, which took Chytil out of the game and temporarily landed Wilson in the penalty box, was plastered all over the hockey media landscape seconds after being made. Given the injurious result of the play and the fact that a major penalty was initially called, the NHL's Department of Player Safety reviewed Wilson's hit after the game.

Tom Wilson landed a huge hit at the end of the first period against the Vancouver Canucks that nearly landed him in some hot water. After Filip Chytil made a pass in the neutral zone, Wilson knocked him loopy with a punishing hit, nailing the Canucks forward in the chest about a second after he released the puck. The open-ice hit crumpled Chytil to the ice and eventually knocked him woozily down to the tunnel and out of the game.

"Honestly, I think it started like last year," Cristall said. "I think Willy just like, I had some good flow going last year and Willy called me that one time and kind of stuck on with him."

The game reminded fans of the 2010 playoff series, but this time, a different narrative unfolded, ensuring dark memories wouldn't haunt the team again.

Wilson’s actions and sarcasm during the game highlighted the intense emotions of playoff hockey and the individual rivalries that can form during a series.